I have discovered two sites focused on social change that are inspiring and, I think, use technology well to create enthusiasm for social change. Changemakers.net is funded by the Ashoka Foundation and focuses on catalyzing social entrepreneurship worldwide. The site is currently providing a forum for solving water problems globally, and the Smart Commons Mosaic provides a place to share experiences people or organizations have solving these problems in communities. SocialEdge.net is a platform for discussing and sharing experience in social change. It is presented by the Skoll Foundation and again provides a forum for discussing and posting successful change management strategies and practices.
Economic indicators, and comments from Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan, are indicating that what we all have been hoping for is about to happen - The Baghdad Bounce. Now that the war is over, at least from a "fear of disaster" perspective, economic growth is expected in the second half of the year. Oil prices have fallen and manufacturing orders rose 2.2 percent in March. Greenspan hinted that interest rates, currently at a forty year low, would not be lowered again, and that the economy was on its way to a rebound. Expect the Federal Government to do everything in its power to jump-start the process. The Republicans and the President know that economic issues are one of the only things that can dislodge them from power.
